Platinum group metal catalyst

Abstract

Hydrogen transfer catalyst comprises (a) as support a graphite containing carbon having (1) a basal plane surface area of at least 100 m 2 /g, (2) a ratio of BET surface area to basal plane surface area of not more than 5:1 and (3) a ratio of basal plane surface area to edge surface area of at least 5:1 and (b) as active component, 0.01 to 10% by weight, of the total weight of catalyst of a platinum group metal disposed thereon. The catalyst is particularly suitable for reforming.

We claim: 
     
       1. A catalyst comprising (a) as support, a graphite-containing carbon having (1) a basal plane surface area of at least 100 m 2  /g, (2) a ratio of BET surface area to basal plane surface area of not more than 5:1 and (3) a ratio of basal plane surface area to edge surface area of at least 5:1 and (b) as active component, 0.01 to 10% by weight of a platinum group metal disposed thereon. 
     
     
       2. A catalyst according to claim 1 wherein the active component is present in amount 0.1 to 5% by weight. 
     
     
       3. A catalyst according to either of claims 1 or 2 wherein the platinum group metal is platinum or iridium. 
     
     
       4. A catalyst according to claim 1 wherein the basal plane surface area is in the range 150 m 2  /g to 500 m 2  /g. 
     
     
       5. A catalyst according to claim 1 the ratio of the BET surface area to the basal plane surface area is in the range 2:1 to 1.01:1. 
     
     
       6. A catalyst according to claim 1 wherein the ratio of the basal plane surface area to the edge surface area is greater than 50:1. 
     
     
       7. A catalyst according to claim 6 wherein the ratio of the basal plane surface area to the edge surface area is greater than 300:1. 
     
     
       8. A catalyst according to claim 1 wherein the catalyst contains a modifying metal ion selected from the alkali and alkaline earth metal ions. 
     
     
       9. A catalyst according to claim 8 wherein the modifying metal ion is present in amount 10 to 300 atomic percent of the platinum group metal. 
     
     
       10. A catalyst according to claim 9 wherein the modifying metal ion is sodium.